Finger food and condiment carton

ABSTRACT

A food and condiment carton including at least one collapsible food compartment configured for holding food, wherein the at least one collapsible food compartment includes a first base; and at least one collapsible condiment compartment configured for holding condiment, wherein the at least one collapsible condiment compartment is configured to extend from the first base to form a second base such that the first and second base together serve as a stable collapsible food and condiment carton.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of priority from design patent application U.S. Ser. No. 29,543,638 filed on Oct. 27, 2015. Said application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a food carton. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a finger food and condiment carton capable of receiving condiments directly and without additional packages for such condiments.

2. Background Art

Fast food has become increasingly popular with families that desire quick meals or snacks that are prepared ahead of time prior to their sale or meals or snacks that can be prepared in short order. Finger food is food meant to be eaten directly using the hands, in contrast to food eaten with a knife and fork, spoon, chopsticks, or other utensils. Various cartons in the form of trays, boxes, etc., have been used to hold food items, e.g., French fries, chicken nuggets, chicken tender strips, onion rings, etc. No considerations have been made to hold condiments. In many occasions, a user tends to empty a carton filled with food so that condiment, e.g., ketchup, mustard, etc., can be disposed in the compartment of the carton so that the user can dip the food items in the condiment to coat the food items with the condiment. The food items are disposed on a dirty surface, e.g., table, tray or wrapper.

There arises a need for a finger food and condiment carton so that the need to empty a finger food carton can be removed. Further, for busy on-the-go consumers who do not have the luxury to consume finger food items at a table, there is a need for a carton which is capable of supplying condiments along with food items so that they can be enjoyed together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a food and condiment carton including:

-   -   (a) at least one collapsible food compartment configured for         holding food, wherein the at least one collapsible food         compartment includes a back wall, a front wall, two bifold side         walls, each bifold side wall connecting one side edge of each of         the back wall of the at least one collapsible food compartment         and the front wall of the at least one collapsible food         compartment, a bifold bottom wall connecting the back wall of         the at least one collapsible food compartment and the front wall         of the at least one collapsible food compartment, the front wall         of the at least one collapsible food compartment, the back wall         of the at least one collapsible food compartment, the bifold         side walls and the bifold bottom wall cooperate to form a space         for holding food on a first base; and     -   (b) at least one collapsible condiment compartment including a         front wall, two side walls, each of the side walls of at least         one collapsible condiment compartment rotatably connecting an         edge of the front wall of the at least one collapsible condiment         compartment to the front wall of the at least one collapsible         food compartment to form the at least one collapsible condiment         compartment, a leak-free collapsible container disposed in the         least one collapsible condiment compartment, wherein the         leak-free collapsible container is configured for holding         condiment and the at least one collapsible condiment compartment         is configured to extend from the first base to form a second         base such that the first and second base together serve as a         stable collapsible food and condiment carton.

In one embodiment, the at least one collapsible food compartment includes a bifold partition wall disposed in the at least one collapsible food compartment to make the at least one collapsible food compartment two collapsible food compartments.

In one embodiment, the container includes an impermeable material that is plastic. In another embodiment, the container includes an impermeable material that is rubber.

In one embodiment, the at least one collapsible condiment compartment includes more than one vertically arranged compartments.

In one embodiment, the at least one collapsible food compartment further includes a cutout configured to facilitate access to food contained within the at least one collapsible food compartment.

In one embodiment, the at least one collapsible condiment compartment is configured to support a condiment package.

An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible carton for holding finger food and condiment, all as one unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible carton for holding finger food and condiment, all as one unit and a carton that is capable of holding condiment directly or packaged condiment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible carton for holding finger food and condiment where the carton is stable against tipping while in use.

Whereas there may be many embodiments of the present invention, each embodiment may meet one or more of the foregoing recited objects in any combination. It is not intended that each embodiment will necessarily meet each objective. Thus, having broadly outlined the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated, there are, of course, additional features of the present invention that will be described herein and will form a part of the subject matter of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton.

FIG. 9 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting a condiment compartment configured for receiving a condiment package.

FIG. 10 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two condiment compartments configured for receiving two condiment packages.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two condiment compartments.

FIG. 12 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two condiment compartments and two finger food compartments.

FIG. 13 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting a leak-free compartment for receiving condiment.

FIG. 14 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two leak-free compartments for receiving condiment.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two leak-free compartments for receiving condiment.

FIG. 16 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two leak-free compartments for receiving condiment and two compartments for receiving finger food.

FIG. 17 is a top view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two leak-free compartments for receiving condiment and two compartments for receiving finger food.

FIG. 18 is a top view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton that is being used, depicting two leak-free compartments for receiving condiment and two compartments for receiving finger food.

FIG. 19 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting a leak-free compartment for receiving condiment.

FIG. 20 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting a leak-free compartment for receiving condiment and a compartment for receiving a condiment package.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting the directions the various portions of the carton may be folded to collapse the carton.

FIGS. 22-25 depict an example of series of steps taken to fabricate a flexible and leak-free container.

FIG. 26 depicts an example of a step taken to install two containers simultaneously.

PARTS LIST

2—carton

4—food compartment

6—condiment compartment

8—folding seam

10—condiment package

12—cutout

14—partition wall

16—pouch or container

18—punch

20—sheet

22—support

24—aperture

26—consumer's hand

28—adhesive

30—distance to condiment compartment

32—opening

34—back wall of food compartment

36—front wall of food compartment

38—side wall of food compartment

40—front wall of condiment compartment

42—side wall of condiment compartment

44—bottom wall of food compartment

46—inserter

48—first base

50—second base

52—condiment

54—food item

PARTICULAR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present finger food and condiment carton provides a unified structure for serving finger food and condiment together. This removes the need for a user to first clear a spot on a conventional carton for holding condiment. The carton is especially useful for users to enjoy finger food with condiments while on-the-go.

In one embodiment, the present finger food and condiment carton includes an arrangement of compartments which are collapsible prior to their use and compartments which not only can hold finger food and condiment but also provide stability to the carton while in use.

In one embodiment, the present finger food and condiment carton includes an arrangement of finger food and condiment compartments which are collapsible prior to their use and the condiment compartment/s that are leak-free so that they can be used without requiring condiment to be contained in a package while seated in the condiment compartment/s.

In one embodiment, the present finger food and condiment carton provides more than one compartments for finger food so that multiple types of finger food may be served all within one carton. In one embodiment, the present finger food and condiment carton provides more than one compartments for condiment so that multiple types of condiments may be served all within one carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The term “about” is used herein to mean approximately, roughly, around, or in the region of. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 20 percent up or down (higher or lower).

The term “collapsible” is used herein to mean foldable and ability to assume a compact form. When the term “collapsible” is used in conjunction with a carton, it references the state in which the carton is disposed while being transported or stored.

Disclosed herein is a carton capable of being collapsed to a flat format upon fabrication and therefore capable of a compact configuration while being transported or stored prior to its use. The carton is preferably used only in a single setting and discarded after its use. FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. FIG. 4 is a rear view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. FIG. 7 is a left side view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. FIG. 8 is a right side view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2. The carton includes at least one compartment 4 for holding food and at least one compartment 6 for holding condiment. Referring to FIGS. 1-8, only one food compartment 4 and one condiment compartment 6 are provided. The food compartment includes a back wall 34, a front wall 36, two bifold side walls 38 and a bifold bottom wall 44. Each bifold side wall 38 connects one side edge of the back wall 34 to one edge of the front wall 36. The bifold bottom wall 44 connects the back wall 34 and the front wall 36. The front wall 36, back wall 34, bifold side walls 38 and bifold bottom wall 44 cooperate to form a space for holding food on a first base 48. The bifold side walls 38 and bifold bottom wall 44 may be folded inwardly our outwardly along their respective seam 8 to achieve a compact format. Referring to FIG. 5, while erected, the side walls 32 of food compartment 4 are not attached to bottom wall 44 leaving openings 32 which allow the carton 2 to be collapsible. A cutout 12 is provided to facilitate access to any finger food disposed in the food compartment 4. The condiment compartment extends from the front wall 36 of the food compartment 4 and includes a front wall 40 and two side walls 42. Each side wall 42 is rotatably connecting an edge of the front wall 40 to the front wall 36 of the food compartment 4 to form the condiment compartment 6. The condiment compartment 6 is configured to extend from the first base to form a second base 50 such that the first and second base together serve as a stable collapsible food and condiment carton 2. The side walls 42 and front wall 40 may be folded or collapsed toward the front wall 36 of the food compartment to achieve a compact format. Upon fabrication, both the food and condiment compartments 4, 6 are preferably folded or collapsed flat for transportation or storage. Prior to their use, both compartments 4, 6 are erected with the food compartment 4 filled with finger food, e.g., onion rings, French fries, chicken nuggets, chicken tenders or any combinations thereof. In this embodiment, the condiment compartment 6 is bottomless.

FIG. 9 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2 depicting a condiment compartment configured for receiving a condiment package 10. A condiment package containing a condiment is simply supported in the condiment compartment 6. The weight applied by the condiment package further stabilizes the carton 2 so that it can be maintained in the upright position while in use.

FIG. 10 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting two condiment compartments 6 configured for receiving two condiment packages 10. FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton, depicting two condiment compartments instead of the single condiment compartment shown in FIGS. 1-9. As shown, two condiment packages can be used for two condiments of the same type or two condiments of different types.

The two compartments are vertically arranged or stacked, further improving the stability of the carton 2 by having additional weight from the second condiment package that is disposed under the first.

FIG. 12 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting two condiment compartments 6 and two finger food compartments 4. In this embodiment, the food compartment 4 includes a bifold partition wall 14 disposed in the food compartment 4 to make the at least one collapsible food compartment two collapsible food compartments for holding two different food items or a food item segregated into two portions.

FIG. 13 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting a leak-free compartment for receiving condiment. In order to provide a leak-free compartment, a leak-free collapsible container 16 is disposed in the condiment compartment 6, wherein the leak-free collapsible container 16 is configured for holding condiment. Note that, in this embodiment, the container 16 is disposed within the compartment 6. FIG. 14 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting two leak-free compartments 6 for receiving condiment. FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting two leak-free compartments 6 for receiving condiment. Again, a container 16 is disposed in each compartment 6, providing a consumer with a choice to use two condiment compartments. In one embodiment, the container 16 includes an impermeable material.

In one embodiment, the impermeable material is a food-grade plastic. In another embodiment, the impermeable material is food-grade rubber. FIGS. 16 and 17 show a carton 2 that is largely the same as the one shown in FIGS. 14-15. However, note that, in this embodiment, a partition wall 14 is placed substantially centrally within the food compartment 4 and substantially in parallel with the side walls 38 of the food compartment 4. FIG. 18 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2 that is being used, depicting two leak-free compartments for receiving condiment 52 and two compartments for receiving finger food 54. FIG. 18 demonstrates the availability of two food compartments to hold two different food items, e.g., French fries on the left and chicken tender strips on the right. A consumer's hand is shown dipping a French fry 54 in a condiment 52, e.g., ketchup disposed in the lower condiment compartment 6.

FIG. 19 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting a leak-free compartment for receiving condiment. Here, there is only one compartment 6, i.e., one which is disposed with a base at the same level as the base of the food compartment 4.

FIG. 20 is a top front perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting a leak-free compartment for receiving condiment and a compartment for receiving a condiment package. Here, there are two compartments, one of which is configured for receiving a condiment package and the other configured for receiving condiment directly. The ability to receive condiment directly is important for consumers that are on-the-go and those who do not have a stable surface to set their food down, i.e., in a vehicle. Therefore, the consumer may need to hold the carton while consuming the finger food. Not all condiment packages are shaped in a format commensurate with a present condiment compartment 6. A condiment package 10 must have a flange in order to be supported on the front and side walls 40, 42. Flexible packages, e.g., those of 9-gram tomato ketchup packets must be used with their contents emptied onto a surface or applied directly to the food. For those eating on-the-go, this presents a messy eating condition. In addition to having their hands coated with grease, without the present condiment compartment/s, a consumer must contend with condiments. 21CFR155.194 of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies the acceptable consistency of ketchup as follows: “The consistency of the finished food is such that its flow is not more than 14 centimeters in 30 seconds at 20 deg. C when tested in a Bostwick Consistometer in the following manner: Check temperature of mixture and adjust to 20+/−1 deg. C.” It shall be apparent that left alone and by gravity, ketchup tends to run, making for a messy situation if it is allowed to flow.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a finger food and condiment carton 2, depicting the directions the various portions of the carton may be folded to collapse the carton. In order to produce a carton 2 in a flat format, the carton 2 is compressed in the direction indicated. In this example, the side walls 38 and bottom wall 44 extend outwardly and rotate about their respective seam 8. It is also possible for the side walls 38 to collapse inwardly to achieve a smaller footprint albeit with increased collapsed thickness. The front and side walls 40, 42 collapse onto the front wall 36 as the side walls 42 are capable of rotation about their attachment seams or folds with respect to the front wall 36. In erecting the carton 2, the actions for collapsing the carton 2 are simply reversed.

In order for the present carton to be commercially practical and viable, similar cartons must be produced at a high rate. Conventional cartons having only food compartments do not typically require fabrication steps involving multiple materials. FIGS. 22-25 depict an example of a series of steps taken to fabricate a flexible and leak-free container 16.

FIG. 22 shows a first step in the process where an impermeable heated sheet 20 is disposed on a support 22 having an aperture 24 suitably sized for a condiment compartment. In FIG. 23, a punch 18 is shown lowered through the aperture 24, deep drawing the sheet that is malleable as it is heated. In FIG. 24, a flexible container 16 is shown to have been formed as the punch continues to be lowered at a high rate. A releasing agent and/or a puff of air may be applied at the tip of the punch 18 to hasten the release of the formed container 16 as shown in FIG. 25. In practice, the process shown in FIGS. 22-25 may be performed at a high rate and/or multiple punch-aperture setups may be used to simultaneously produce numerous containers for each punching action.

Upon producing flexible containers 16, they are now ready to be applied to condiment compartments. FIG. 26 depicts an example of a step taken to install two containers 16 simultaneously on a carton 2. The food compartment is shown collapsed while the condiment compartments 6 have been erected. Note that the similar distances 30 from each container 16 to its corresponding condiment compartment 6, indicating that the containers 16 are being applied simultaneously. Various techniques are available to orient, pick up and prepare an inserter 46 with one or two previously made containers 16. The carton 2 may be held in a stationary position via a vacuum or other mechanical means applied to a wall, e.g., the front and/or back walls 36, 34, such that the containers 16 may be inserted into their respective compartment 6. In one embodiment, a dab of adhesive, e.g., glue 28 is applied all around the outer periphery of each container 16. Upon insertion into a compartment 6, a container 16 is again released before the compartment 6 is collapsed so that the adhesive surrounding the container 16 can be fully applied to secure the container 16 to the compartment 6. If a single container is attached to a compartment at one time, it is also possible to unify the container insertion step with the container fabrication step. The carton 2 is preferably constructed from a single sheet cut or stamped out from a food grade cardboard or paper stock of suitable thickness and strength and assembled by attaching certain portions of the sheet to various locations of the sheet to form the structure shown throughout the figures. The partition wall may be fabricated from a separate sheet and attached to the carton upon its formation at a later time.

The detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present disclosed embodiments may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice aspects of the present invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The various embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, with the full scope of equivalents to which they may be entitled. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive, and that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon studying the above description. The scope of the present disclosed embodiments includes any other applications in which embodiments of the above structures and fabrication methods are used. The scope of the embodiments should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

What is claimed herein is:
 1. A food and condiment carton comprising: (a) at least one collapsible food compartment configured for holding food; and (b) at least one collapsible condiment compartment configured for holding condiment, said at least one collapsible condiment compartment is integrally built with said at least one collapsible food compartment.
 2. The food and condiment carton of claim 1, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment comprises a container integrally built with said at least one collapsible condiment compartment.
 3. The food and condiment carton of claim 2, wherein said container comprises an impermeable material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber.
 4. The food and condiment carton of claim 1, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment comprises more than one vertically arranged compartments.
 5. The food and condiment carton of claim 1, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment is configured to support a condiment package.
 6. The food and condiment carton of claim 1, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment further comprises a cutout configured to facilitate access to food contained within said at least one collapsible food compartment.
 7. The food and condiment carton of claim 1, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment comprises a partition wall disposed in said at least one collapsible food compartment to make said at least one collapsible food compartment two collapsible food compartments.
 8. A food and condiment carton comprising: (a) at least one collapsible food compartment configured for holding food, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment comprises a first base; and (b) at least one collapsible condiment compartment configured for holding condiment, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment is configured to extend from said first base to form a second base such that the first and second base together serve as a stable collapsible food and condiment carton.
 9. The food and condiment carton of claim 8, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment comprises a container integrally built with said at least one collapsible condiment compartment.
 10. The food and condiment carton of claim 9, wherein said container comprises an impermeable material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber.
 11. The food and condiment carton of claim 8, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment comprises more than one vertically arranged compartments.
 12. The food and condiment carton of claim 8, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment is configured to support a condiment package.
 13. The food and condiment carton of claim 8, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment further comprises a cutout configured to facilitate access to food contained within said at least one collapsible food compartment.
 14. The food and condiment carton of claim 8, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment comprises a partition wall disposed in said at least one collapsible food compartment to make said at least one collapsible food compartment two collapsible food compartments.
 15. A food and condiment carton comprising: (a) at least one collapsible food compartment configured for holding food, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment comprises a back wall, a front wall, two bifold side walls, each bifold side wall connecting one side edge of each of said back wall of said at least one collapsible food compartment and said front wall of said at least one collapsible food compartment, a bifold bottom wall connecting said back wall of said at least one collapsible food compartment and said front wall of said at least one collapsible food compartment, said front wall of said at least one collapsible food compartment, said back wall of said at least one collapsible food compartment, said bifold side walls and said bifold bottom wall cooperate to form a space for holding food on a first base; and (b) at least one collapsible condiment compartment comprising a front wall, two side walls, each of said side walls of at least one collapsible condiment compartment rotatably connecting an edge of said front wall of said at least one collapsible condiment compartment to said front wall of said at least one collapsible food compartment to form said at least one collapsible condiment compartment, a leak-free collapsible container disposed in said least one collapsible condiment compartment, wherein said leak-free collapsible container is configured for holding condiment and said at least one collapsible condiment compartment is configured to extend from said first base to form a second base such that the first and second base together serve as a stable collapsible food and condiment carton.
 16. The food and condiment carton of claim 15, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment comprises a bifold partition wall disposed in said at least one collapsible food compartment to make said at least one collapsible food compartment two collapsible food compartments.
 17. The food and condiment carton of claim 15, wherein said container comprises an impermeable material selected from the group consisting of plastic and rubber.
 18. The food and condiment carton of claim 15, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment comprises more than one vertically arranged compartments.
 19. The food and condiment carton of claim 15, wherein said at least one collapsible food compartment further comprises a cutout configured to facilitate access to food contained within said at least one collapsible food compartment.
 20. The food and condiment carton of claim 15, wherein said at least one collapsible condiment compartment is configured to support a condiment package. 